Patents by Inventor Frank A. Leith

Frank A. Leith has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6729324
    Abstract: A device for use with metered dose inhalers includes a housing configured with a void to receive a metered dose inhaler, an actuator assembly which is configured to selectively apply force to the metered dose inhaler to cause the metered dose inhaler to release medicament, and a cocking mechanism for placing the actuator assembly in an armed configuration. The device is configured to actuate the metered dose inhaler as the user inhales, thereby ensuring improved medicament delivery. Additionally, the device is configured to prevent the metered dose inhaler from remaining in a vented position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Innovative Devices, LLC.
    Inventors: Robert A. Casper, Frank A. Leith, David L. Gardner, John Medlin Snow, Zachary Wood Lyon
  • Patent number: 6672304
    Abstract: A device for use with metered dose inhalers includes a housing configured with a void to receive a metered dose inhaler, an actuator assembly which is configured to selectively apply force to the metered dose inhaler to cause the metered dose inhaler to release medicament, and a cocking mechanism for placing the actuator assembly in an armed configuration. The device is configured to actuate the metered dose inhaler as the user inhales, thereby ensuring improved medicament delivery. Additionally, the device is configured to prevent the metered dose inhaler from remaining in a vented position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Innovative Devices, LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. Casper, Frank A. Leith, David L. Gardner
  • Patent number: 6561186
    Abstract: An inhalation-activated inhalator having a primary inhalation passage and a secondary inhalation passage disposed in communication with the primary inhalation passage and a source of medicament. The primary inhalation passage has airflow inhibiting mechanism connected to a blocking plate positioned to selectively block fluid flow in the secondary inhalation passage. As the user's inhalation reaches a defined rate, the flow inhibiting mechanism restricts flow through the primary inhalation passage and moves the blocking plate to enable airflow through the secondary passage. Thus, as the user achieves a desired inhalation rate, the medicament is provided through the secondary inhalation passage, thereby optimizing the delivery of medicament to the lungs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Innovative Devices
    Inventors: Robert A. Casper, Frank A. Leith, David L. Gardner, John M. Snow, Zachary W. Lyon, David S. Farrar
  • Patent number: 6550477
    Abstract: An inhalation-activated inhalator having a primary inhalation passage and a secondary inhalation passage disposed in communication with the primary inhalation passage and a source of medicament. The primary inhalation passage has airflow inhibiting mechanism connected to a blocking plate positioned to selectively block fluid flow in the secondary inhalation passage. As the user's inhalation reaches a defined rate, the flow inhibiting mechanism restricts flow through the primary inhalation passage and moves the blocking plate to enable airflow through the secondary passage. Thus, as the user achieves a desired inhalation rate, the medicament is provided through the secondary inhalation passage, thereby optimizing the delivery of medicament to the lungs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Innovative Devices, LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. Casper, Frank A. Leith, David L. Gardner, John M. Snow, Zachary W. Lyon, David S. Farrar
  • Publication number: 20020100472
    Abstract: A device for use with metered dose inhalers includes a housing configured with a void to receive a metered dose inhaler, an actuator assembly which is configured to selectively apply force to the metered dose inhaler to cause the metered dose inhaler to release medicament, and a cocking mechanism for placing the actuator assembly in an armed configuration. The device is configured to actuate the metered dose inhaler as the user inhales, thereby ensuring improved medicament delivery. Additionally, the device is configured to prevent the metered dose inhaler from remaining in a vented position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventors: Robert A. Casper, Frank A. Leith, David L. Gardner, John Medlin Snow, Zachary Wood Lyon
  • Publication number: 20020033176
    Abstract: An inhalation-activated inhalator having a primary inhalation passage and a secondary inhalation passage disposed in communication with the primary inhalation passage and a source of medicament. The primary inhalation passage has airflow inhibiting mechanism connected to a blocking plate positioned to selectively block fluid flow in the secondary inhalation passage. As the user's inhalation reaches a defined rate, the flow inhibiting mechanism restricts flow through the primary inhalation passage and moves the blocking plate to enable airflow through the secondary passage. Thus, as the user achieves a desired inhalation rate, the medicament is provided through the secondary inhalation passage, thereby optimizing the delivery of medicament to the lungs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventors: Robert A. Casper, Frank A. Leith, David L. Gardner, John M. Snow, Zachary W. Lyon, David S. Farrar
  • Patent number: 6357442
    Abstract: A device for use with metered dose inhalers includes a housing configured with a void to receive a metered dose inhaler, an actuator assembly which is configured to selectively apply force to the metered dose inhaler to cause the metered dose inhaler to release medicament, and a cocking mechanism for placing the actuator assembly in an armed configuration. The device is configured to actuate the metered dose inhaler as the user inhales, thereby ensuring improved medicament delivery. Additionally, the device is configured to prevent the metered dose inhaler from remaining in a vented position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Innovative Devices, LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. Casper, Frank A. Leith, David L. Gardner, John Medlin Snow, Zachary Wood Lyon
  • Patent number: 6209538
    Abstract: An inhalation-activated inhalator having a primary inhalation passage and a secondary inhalation passage disposed in communication with the primary inhalation passage and a source of medicament. The primary inhalation passage has airflow inhibiting mechanism connected to a blocking plate positioned to selectively block fluid flow in the secondary inhalation passage. As the user's inhalation reaches a defined rate, the flow inhibiting mechanism restricts flow through the primary inhalation passage and moves the blocking plate to enable airflow through the secondary passage. Thus, as the user achieves a desired inhalation rate, the medicament is provided through the secondary inhalation passage, thereby optimizing the delivery of medicament to the lungs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Inventors: Robert A. Casper, Frank A. Leith, David L. Gardner, John M. Snow, Zachary W. Lyon, David S. Farrar
  • Patent number: 5988163
    Abstract: An inhalation-activated inhalator having a primary inhalation passage and a secondary inhalation passage disposed in communication with the primary inhalation passage and a source of medicament. The primary inhalation passage has a flow inhibiting mechanism connected to a blocking plate positioned to selectively block fluid flow between the secondary and primary inhalation passage. As the user's inhalation reaches a defined rate, the flow inhibiting mechanism restricts flow through the primary inhalation passage and moves the blocking plate to enable airflow through the secondary passage. Thus, as the user achieves a desired inhalation rate, the medicament is provided through the secondary inhalation passage, thereby optimizing the delivery of medicament to the lungs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Innovative Devices
    Inventors: Robert A. Casper, Frank A. Leith, David L. Gardner
  • Patent number: 5826571
    Abstract: An inhalation device is provided for use with pressurized metered dose inhalers (MDIs). The device includes a mechanical mechanism for applying the force required to discharge the MDI, a breath-activated trigger for activating this mechanical mechanism, an auto-return mechanism for insuring recovery of the aerosol canister from the fired position and a dose counter for counting the doses dispensed or available. Arming of the device is achieved by removing the protective mouthpiece cover/dust cap. Activation of the MDI is set to occur at a point subsequent to the beginning of inhalation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Innovative Devices, LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. Casper, Frank A. Leith, David L. Gardner
  • Patent number: 5823183
    Abstract: An inhalation-activated inhalator having a primary inhalation passage and a secondary inhalation passage disposed in communication with the primary inhalation passage and a source of medicament. The primary inhalation passage has a flow inhibiting mechanism connected to a blocking plate positioned to selectively block fluid flow between the secondary and primary inhalation passage. As the user's inhalation reaches a defined rate, the flow inhibiting mechanism restricts flow through the primary inhalation passage and moves the blocking plate to enable airflow through the secondary passage. Thus, as the user achieves a desired inhalation rate, the medicament is provided through the secondary inhalation passage, thereby optimizing the delivery of medicament to the lungs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Innovative Devices
    Inventors: Robert A. Casper, Frank A. Leith, David L. Gardner
  • Patent number: 5692496
    Abstract: An inhalation-activated inhalator having a flow diverting means wherein the primary air flow channel is blocked for a brief period during inspiration with air flow during that period passing through a dosing chamber arrangement and connecting passage to inject medicament into the inspired air stream is provided. By diverting the inspired air stream in this fashion, powdered medicament may be provided for inhalation at a particular point in the patient's inspiration cycle, thereby optimizing the delivery of medicament to the lungs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Innovative Devices, LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. Casper, Frank A. Leith, David L. Gardner
  • Patent number: 5415162
    Abstract: A breath-actuated dry powder medicament inhalator device having a housing and a conduit mounted within the housing defining an air passageway therethrough having an aperture in the sidewall thereof. A blister-type strip of sealed containers arranged in a matrix of rows and columns wherein the columns extend generally diagonally to the longitudinal axis of the strip is secured in a two-piece cage adapted for being rotatably mounted around the conduit of the inhalator device. Advancement means are provided for rotatably moving the two-piece cage and blister strip contained thereby in a generally helical pathway relative to the conduit so as to successively advance each of the sealed containers of the blister strip into registration with the conduit aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: Glaxo Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Casper, Malcolm E. Taylor, Frank A. Leith, David H. Leith, Maryanne G. Boundy